I worry that some might believe that, without palpitations, their A-fib is inoperative and they can get careless about taking their medications and getting their exercise and other therapy routines done. Don't be fooled. In nearly 5 years after my A-fib was diagnosed, I don't remember EVER having palpitations, but the irregular heartbeats were drawn clearly on every EKG my primary care physician administered. And here's the clincher:

Last June, I suffered a stroke. Without warning, I lost my ability to walk smoothly and ultimately tripped over my own feet and fell on the lawn. Fortunately, I escaped injury, but some loss of mobility has beset me ever since -- even to the extent of interfering with my ability to articulate words as I once did as a public speaker, actor, and singer. An MRI confirmed a "small stroke" near my hippocampus (so my memory isn't what it used to be either).

My big mistake was waiting several hours before being taken to Urgent Care by my daughter. Never again. If ever again I have even minor stroke symptoms, I am going to immediately call 9-1-1 and have emergency medical personnel take me to the hospital, calling ahead so ER staff are ready for me when I arrive. I hope my experience will be taken seriously by everybody who has heart rhythm problems, because a stroke is a shadow over you, whether you feel it or not. Don't take a chance. Martin